A new breath of fresh air welled up within him as he passed the various streets, stalls and buildings, following his nose. Stray cats and dogs passed to and fro, along with men and women of the night, drinking themselves drunk and feeling every part of themselves.
The duo passed these streets quietly, as they were nothing so unique, nothing so impressive. At least, not enough for others to care. A strange man taking a little girl to who knows where? It was a regular sight in Rhea-Nori. Slowly but surely, as they walked hand in hand, the environment became more and more familiar to the girl. The little girl felt more and more relaxed as they walked. Soon enough, she began giving the directions. The moon gave off its light along with a host of stars, illuminating the earth as the clouds above passed. There was light where she walked with him. They slowly entered a more residential part of the city; a slum, littered with little homes with light in them. Families were dining, children were being put to bed and men were conversing in the cool outdoor breeze.
They approached a particular house and a woman hurriedly came out, locking the door behind her. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Quantum bringing a little girl towards her doorstep.
Quantum had given the girl some words of wisdom as they headed to her home. He told her, "You should cherish your mother, just as she cherishes you. Let her words stay with you wherever you go, so she will never need to remind you of who she is to you. Trust her word and do everything she tells you to do. She means well of you and thinks of a brighter future for you. Do not let the venom of the world seep into your precious little heart. Stay within your mothers bosom and you will certainly be fulfilled. No matter what the world throws at you." The words resonated within the girls heart along with the duo's steps on the ground. She didn't understand some of it, but what she did understand she held on to it.
Quantum had a good look at the girl's mother as they approached. She looked exactly as she was described to be; just like the girl. The girl's mother run down to meet them and the little girl run into her open arms. As the beautiful reunion ensued, Quantum approached and asked, "Oh, and before I forget, what is your name?"." Nhea", she happily responded. The mother looked sternly at her child, and then at Quantum with eyes filled with volumes of gratitude.
She began in a soft voice, "Thank you so much. I didn't know how I would ever find her. You have my sincerest gratitude. Please, accept this as my way of saying thank you..."
The woman took a small pouch from her pocket and approached Quantum. She held his open hand, and placed the pouch in it.
She continued, "You've done a great deal for me...you may not understand. I don't believe anyone else would have done what you have."
Her eyes overflowed with emotion, as she slowly stepped back, Nhea holding on to her dress. Quantum looked at the little leather pouch that had found its wag into his hand. It was a light load in his hands, and yet it carried greater weight than all the wealth in Rhea-Nori. She had done this from the heart. knowing full well that what lay in the pouch could barely feed her, she still gave it away in a genuine act of gratitude. Quantum could not bear the weight of that pouch. As modestly as the woman had approached Quantum, Quantum approached her, and gave her back the pouch.
He added, "How are you going to feed your daughter?"
The womans eyes lit in awe.
Quantum continued, "Believe me, you need this more than an old man like me ever would..."
Sincerity emanated from within her. Quantum could see it. She held the girl in higher regard than herself. The true mark of a good mother. Her hands were dirty and calloused. Her lips were cracked, and her clothes in poor condition. Not as bad as Quantum's cloak, but bad enough for anyone. Clearly, she wasn't well off at all.
The woman opened her mouth to say something, but was silenced by Quantum's definite stance. He simply smiled at her, and slowly drew away. As he began to withdraw, the woman inquired,
"Wait...Before you go...May I-May we, know your name?"
"Yes, what's your name, mister?", Nhea gleefully chirped, "Just so I don't call you 'alley bald man'", she said laughing.
The moonlight shone upon his countenance and his blue eyes were further illuminated.
"Quantum", he responded, looking up at the sky, lit with myriads and myriads of stars.
"You can call me Quantum", he affirmed, looking at her.
The girl smiled. Nhea's mother spied Quantum's countenance. As wretched as it was, it carried a powerful nobility and excellence that far surpassed the scars on his face.
The moment was cut short, however, for there were many eyes set on her, and she was aware of this. She thanked Quantum sincerely and quickly began to take Nhea home. As Nhea reached the doorstep, she turned back and shouted to Quantum's hearing, "Goodbye, Mister Quantum!" The door closed behind her after she entered, and the lights went out shortly after.
The clouds came once more and hid the moon and the stars, clouding the surface of the earth with darkness. Quantum turned and looked at the many pairs of eyes locked on to him. They drew his mind back to the darkness that surrounded him. He knew his days were certainly numbered. He would soon leave the earth and join his fallen brethren.
However, now, there was something he would actually miss about the world. The tiny voice of a little girl who cared a lot for her hair, almost as though she was an adult. Quantum smiled. Maybe, there were some noble things to humanity after all. Maybe he hadn't seen it all. Probably, he hadn't seen anything yet.
Quantum sighed.
The eyes turned their gaze from him, one by one, and lights began to go off within homes. He pulled his makeshift hood back on, covering his face. He slowly walked away from the place, trudging his bare feet.
Many eyes had witnessed the event and among those eyes, only few were those of human beings. In the heavens, on the trees and the tops of ramshackle little sheds, there were many other entities, intrigued by the strange, foreign presence. Quantum pushed this to the very back of his mind as he walked, returning to his little abode.
As he went along, he replayed the series of events that had taken place in such a short time. It would have never happened if Nhea hadn't passed that particular alley and hadn't seen him. It wasn't normal for children to simply approach strangers, especially one as destitute as himself. He had reprimanded her many times while taking her home, not to repeat that again.
After all, it wasn't every stranger who would take kindly to her. There were devourers, active and resilient, just waiting for the naïve to pass by, and fall into their grasp. Quantum was not one of them.
But he hadn't come across any man who wasn't.
There were probably many good-hearted ones out there, but he knew he wouldn't live to see even one of them.
Upon reaching his little abode, he sat down with a loud breath of relief. Reaching for his spear, hidden behind a wooden box, he clutched it tightly. He closed his eyes and time seemed to warp around him.
For the first time in a long time, he had a series of dreams and visions. Things concerning the future. Things he didn't understand yet, but would certainly come to pass.
The moon and stars soon went away, and the light of the sun reappeared, reaffirming its authority.
It was a new day for Quantum, a new opportunity for new events to take place. Events that would change Quantum's plans entirely.